Graphic Design with Integrated Foundation Year

Course Summary

Explore your creativity and expand your professional skills by entering the creative industries on an Integrated Foundation Year degree. Taught over four years, these courses include an introductory year to build a solid foundation before you go on to specialise in your chosen subject at degree level. If you're interested in taking on a new subject, or have been out of education for a while, then our Integrated Foundation Year courses might just be for you. These four-year courses include an introductory year to help you build the core skills needed for degree-level study. This is a chance for you to let your imagination run wild and explore your creativity, expand your professional skills and develop enhanced subject knowledge. We'll help you nurture your expertise in problem solving, risk-taking, designing and making as you develop your abilities. With an emphasis on design thinking and crafting big ideas beautifully, this course is your springboard to a career in the creative industries. You’ll discover how to solve challenging questions facing society and business today with great ideas delivered across print and digital platforms. Through this industry-focused graphic design degree, you'll learn to be an adept visual communicator, developing core skills in typography, branding, visual language, craft and critical thinking. You'll experiment and explore as you move through the course, defining your identity and critical perspective to become a fully formed practitioner, ready for industry or further postgraduate study. You will: Develop technical, design thinking and production skills in your chosen specialism Learn teamwork, leadership and project management skills through a variety of learning environments Develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills through the development of unique and innovative projects Go on to study your chosen course specialism at degree level Have the opportunity to head to London for a week, where you'll visit a range of different studios. For example from brand design studio Wiedemann Lampe and advertising agency BBH to Pentagram, one of the world's largest independent design consultancies. Enjoy optional travel to cities abroad to gain global perspectives on the subject. Work on briefs created with, and supported by, industry practitioners. Have the chance to enter creative competitions such as D&AD, ISTD and the Creative Conscience Awards. Apply to go on an industry placement in the summer before your third year. Create an industry-standard portfolio in your third year as a catalyst for your creative industries career.

Course Details - Modules

With design process and problem-solving at its heart, this graphic design degree explores how creative and meaningful ideas can be made. You'll study the historical, social and cultural issues connecting theory and practice, and gain real-world skills from live briefs and workshops with leading designers. Foundation Year: You'll study five core modules. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your chosen specialism. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs. By the time you progress into year one of your chosen degree, you'll have a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, a developed practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen subject. Modules: Explore Technique Apply Industry Launch Year one By taking on practical and critical work, you'll explore and experiment with new processes and practices. Working together in our immersive studio culture, we'll study things like generating ideas, the history of design, and the latest industry innovations. Modules Design Process A Word in your Eye Narrative Difference and Identity Year two Focusing on real-world, industry-facing projects, we'll encourage you to challenge convention and produce daring, original work. We'll study areas like information hierarchy, ethics and design for society, while continuing to build your core skills. You'll also go on study trips – usually to London or Amsterdam – to learn from designer-led workshops and visit studios like Pentagram, GBH, Fitch, Mother and Trapped in Suburbia. Modules Brand Experience Typography Design Directions Collaborative Practice Year three Your third year focuses on intense project work, a dissertation and professional practice workshops. As well as building your core skills, you'll take a critical look at your strengths and explore various directions for your future career. Towards the end of the year, you'll exhibit at D&AD New Blood and at our own exclusive show. Modules Journeys Critical Writing Destinations Learning is supported through team tutorials and individual 'bookable' sessions The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

Course Details – Assessment Method

Foundation Year: Assessments are 100% coursework based Assessment will take place at the end of each module, and you'll get feedback and evaluation throughout the year. You'll be assessed through visual, verbal and written assignments, including your portfolio and a reflective journal. Progressing in your specialism Students studying on courses with an Integrated Foundation Year must successfully complete all foundation modules before they can progress to the next stage of their course. Your specialism: A variety of design briefs. There’s an ongoing policy of review and feedback every week with staff and other students, while formal assessment is twice yearly. In year three, you’ll write a dissertation and exhibit your work for assessment as part of a final-year show.

Course Details – Professional Bodies

Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.

How to Apply

26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application Codes

Course code: FY08

Institution code: F33

Campus Name: Main Site

Campus code:

Points of Entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Foundation

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.

International applicants

Standard Qualification Requirements

We welcome A Levels in a wide range of subjects, especially in those relevant to the course for which you apply.

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points, primarily from Level 3 equivalent qualifications, such as A levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma, or current, relevant experience. Grade 4 (or C) or above in GCSE English Language, or equivalent, is a minimum language requirement for all applicants. Due to the creative nature of our courses, you will be considered on your own individual merit and potential to succeed on your chosen course. Please contact the Applicant Services team for advice if you are predicted UCAS points below this range, or if you have questions about the qualifications or experience you have.